Body protector for automobiles



June 20, 1950 HOFFMAN 2,512,527

BODY PROTECTOR FOR AUTOMOBILES Filed Aug. 2, 1.948

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a 36 MAX HOFFMAN 33 34 BY H/5 HTTORNEKS.

HARP/5, K/Ech; Foams/2 dtHA/m/s and the closing of the doors.

Patented June 20, 1950 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,512,527 b BODY PROTECTOR FOR AUTOMOBILES Max Hofiman, Los Angeles, Calif. 7

Application August 2, 1948, Serial No. 41,952

10 Claims.

This invention relates to body protectors for a vehicle and, more particularly, to a body protector which is of an extensible-retractible nature and which is adapted to be utilized to protect the hitherto unprotected sides of the body of the vehicle.

Recent design changes in automobilebodies have eliminated entirely the conventional running board which was previously an integral part of the body design and the body now extends the full width of the automobile and entirely encloses the chassis of the vehicle. The old-style running board, in addition to functioning as a step which a person entering the vehicle could utilize to good advantage, also served to absorb minor blows which resulted from accidents essentially trivial in nature. Thus, the main body portion of the vehicle along the sides thereof was shielded, to a certain extent, by the incorporation therealong of the running board structure.

As indicated above, the most recent body designs have entirely eliminated this external running board structure and the side of the body of the automobile extends down in a flush panel and door arrangement to a point within a short I distance of the ground. Therefore, the. slightest of accidents is apt to result in considerable damage to the finish and the configuration of the body itself. v

. the entire lower edge of each side of the body.

Since the door structures in the new style bodies extend downwardly to the lower edge of the body, it is obvious that any protective means which would be placed in position to ward ofi trivial collision impacts would have to be of such a nature that it would not impede the opening Some attempts have been made to provide for this type of structure by providing a simple garnish molding along the lower edge of the body but such moldings obviously are not very effective in reducing the damage resulting from side collisions.

Afurther object of my invention is to provide a body: protector for the sides of vehicles which is of an extensible-retractible nature and whichcan be lowered under the chassis of the automobile to permit the opening and closing of the doors of the vehicle and to facilitate the ingress andegress of passengers.

Another object of my invention is the provision .of a protective device for a vehicle which includes two elongated bumper structures extending longitudinally of the lower sides of the body adapted to preserve both the body and the door structures. incorporated therein from substantial damage which frequentlyis occasioned by relatively trivial collisions due to the comipletely'exposed nature of the side portions of the body.- w

Since the sides of the body structure and the doors pincorporated therein are susceptible to damage from'even the most trivial of collisions and since such-damage frequently results in the distorting of the door frames and the consequent imprisonment of the occupants of the vehicle thereiny-until assistance can be rendered, it is desirable to provide a protective device for such bodies which will serve to ward off any impact produced by side collision with other vehicles.

.It is an additional object of my invention to providea protective device for automobile bodies whichextends longitudinally of the body of the vehicle and which is of sufficient length to provideameans of warding off impact with the door structures incorporated in the body and which provide a body protector for automobiles which can be easily and cheaply manufactured and which can be readily installed upon automobiles which are in use at the present time. It is also an object of my invention to provide a device of the the aforementioned type which can be factory installed as a standard equipment item and can be sold at a moderate price.

Other. objects and advantages of my invention will become apparent from a perusal of the following specification and the accompanying drawing which is for the purpose of illustration only, and in which:

Fig. 1 is a top plan view showing my invention incorporated in an automobile;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged, transverse sectional view taken on broken line 2-2 of Fig. 1; and

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of my invention in its extended position.

There is illustrated in the drawing a vehicle I which is'eiiemplified'as an automobile including a chassis I I which incorporates a power plant l2 and a frame I3. The frame I3 of the vehicle It) is conventionally formed of steel members and includes two longitudinal side members I4 which are arranged in operative relation's'hipw'ith each other through the medium of endmembers I6 and reinforced by means of cross members I5. Mounted in a conventional way uponthe'niennbers of the frame I3 are axles l'I upon which are suspended 'tractiveand steering wheels I'B. Although a specific chassis 'structureis 'sh'ownto illustrate the'm-anner in which the invention can be incorporated in'a vehicle of conventional. type,

it is, of course, not intended that theapplication bodyhave their lower portions 22 extending in a 35 smooth contour down to the extreme lower' edge of the body and in which no running boardsof the conventional type'aredisposed on theexterior of the body. The outline of the body is shown in dotted linesin Fig. 1 and the configuration-of one side 2| and the lower portion 22 'of the "side 2| is shown in dotted lines in I Fig. 2 of the drawing. 1

The longitudinal side members M'of'thefra'me I3 are constituted, in the vehicle under discussion, by channel sections -23 which have their sides 24 arranged in a plane normal to the plane of the longitudinal axis oftheframe 13. the construction of the protective device on both sides of the vehicle is identical in nature,'-"-the construction of one side of the apparatus alone will be described. Mounted uponthe side t' l of-the channel section 23 is a plurality ofbearing bosses 25 which are afiixed to the "side -'24"through the medium of rivets 2B or anysimilar suitable fasteners. Formed in the bearing'bossesfi are longitudinally disposed holes 21 which are adapted to receive an elongated cylindrical -supp'ort rod 28'for rotation therein. The-support rod 28extends along the longitudinal side memberlkand is supported thereupon by the plurality of bearing bosses 25, which are arranged'at'spacedintervals upon the longitudinalside members I4.

Mounted upon andadapted to be rotated by' the support rod 28 are a number of-support arms 30 which have enlarged rearward ends 3I through which are formed longitudinally directedopenings 32 adapted to -permit-theirmOunting'in-"a fixed and predetermined attitude upon the-support rod 28. Ascan 'berea-dily discerned from the drawing, the supportarms -39 are mounted upon the supportrod 28 andare'adaptedto jbe rotated thereby-and therewith in an arc' through a plane which is substantially nor-mal to the-lon- Since tudinal side member I4 upon which it is mounted. The forward ends of the support arms 30 have secured thereto or integrally formed therewith mounting plates 33 which are generally rectangular in configuration and are slightly arcuate in their lengthwise dimension. A number of spaced openings in the plates 33 are adapted to receive the shanks of rivets 34, or similar fasteners, which secure to the faces of the mounting plates 33 a 1n longitudinally elongated bumper'fi which is con- 1:; said arc being adapted to register with the arc of the mounting plates 33 and to permit the accurate mounting of the bumper 35 thereupon.

As may be best seen in Fig. 2 of the drawing, "the'bumper 35 is adapted to be rotated upon the support arms 36 through the medium of the support rod 28 from a first, retracted position underlying the chassis I I,-which is indicated in Fig.2 by the dotted line 13, into a second, extended position in which it overlies the lower portion-22 of the side 2| of the'body 26, thus serving toprotect that portion of the body from damage resulting-from minor collisions. It is intended that the driver of the vehicle extend the bumper 35 into the second or extended position after he has entered the vehicle through suitable power means which will be described below and it is also'intended that he retract the bumper into its first retracted position, in which it underlies the chassis I I, before he attempts to leave the vehicle. It is conceivable that an indicator which might be actuated-by the bumper 35an'd which isplaced upon the dashboard could indicate to the driver *of the vehicle that the bumper 35 was in the-extendedposition and thus'warn himto retract the 49 bumper 35 before attempting to leave 'the vehicle.

Mounted upon the support rod 28 intermediate the ends thereof and adapted'to rotate the support-rod 28 and the associated bumper 35 in reference to the frame l3 of the vehicle isa crank arm 38 which has a lowerienlargedportion '39 provided with a hole 40 which encircles the peripheral area of the support rod -28 and is securely swaged or :otherwise fixedly "attached thereto-in order that the travel of theorank arm ,50 38 in a plane lying substantially normal tothe longitudinal axis of the side member I4 of the frameIS will cause the rotation of the'support rod '28 and the concomitant "rotation of the bumper 35 mounted upon the support'rod18.

The upper end-M of the crank arm w is provided with a hole 42 for-a -purpose which will be described in greater detail below.

Mounted upon the frame l3 of the chassis I I .is

a power --means, indicated generally at 45, and

consisting of a first hydraulic cylinder- 46 which is-so juxtaposed to the position assumed by the driver-when he is seated in the vehicle that it can be readily operated-by him through a pe'dal 'means; not shown, or any other similar expedient.

The firsthydrauliecylinder 46 includes a piston rod-4'Iwhich haS -afilXBd thereon a piston 48 which -is adapted upon the movement of the piston ro'd 41 in' the cylinder 46 to drive before it acolnmn of hydraulic fluid through a hydraulic line 49 -which is suitably connected to a second hydraulic gimeinarasleepthesuppert-rdu tsendthe loi'igi- I4 5 lies between' the bunipers 3'5 which con's'titute tlie body. protectors of the present invention. The second hydraulic cylinder 5| is provided with a piston rod 52 which hasmounted thereupon a piston 53 which is adapted to be shifted by the flow of hydraulic fluid through the hydraulic line 49 as induced by the concomitant movement of the piston 48 in the'first hydraulic cylinder 46. Thus, the actuation of the first hydraulic cylinder 46 by the driver of the vehicle will cause a simultaneous and proportional actuation of the:

second hydraulic cylinder 5 Mounted upon the end of the piston rod 52 of the second hydraulic .cylinder 5| is a bearing block 55 which has a transverse hole 56 formed therein adapted to receive the intermediate portion of a cable 51 or other flexible member which has its opposite ends secured to the upper ends 4| of the crank arms 38 through the medium of collars 58 which are crimped about the looped opposite endsthereof. These portions of the cable 51 which lie between the points of attachment of the opposite ends of the cable to the upper ends of the crank arms 38 and the block 55 are trained through sheaves 59 which serve to properly direct the cable in transmitting the movement of the piston rod 52 to the crank arms 38.

When the driver of the vehicle enters the vehicle, the bumpers 35 will be in the retracted position in which they underlie the chassis II of the vehicle II], as shown in Fig. 2. When the driver has entered the vehicle l, he actuates the first hydraulic cylinder 46 by any suitable means and causes the piston rod 41 to carry the piston 48 in a direction which will force hydraulic fluid through the hydraulic line 49 and into the second hydraulic cylinder 5|. The expansive .force of the hydraulic fluid passing into the second hydraulic cylinder 5| will cause the piston 53 to shift the piston rod 52 longitudinally within the cylinder 5| and will cause a concomitant trans-.

position of the bearing block 55. The bearing block 55 will carry with it the intermediate portion of the cable 51 and will draw in the opposite ends of the cable. The drawing-in of the opposite ends of the cable 51 will cause the upper ends- 4| of the crank arms 38 to be drawn from the dotted line position 43a of Fig. 2 causing the rotation of the support rods 28. The rotation of the support rods 28 will cause the concomitant rotation in an arc of the support arms 30, thus carrying the bumpers 35 from their first retracted position into their second extended position in which they overlie the lower portions 22 of the sides 2| of the body 2|] of the vehicle. When thus located in this extended position, the bumpers 35 serve to shield the lower portions 22 of the sides 2| of the body from damage resulting from slight accidents.

When the driver of the vehicle desires to leave it, he merely releases the pressure in the first hydraulic cylinder 46 and the weight of the bumpers 35 will cause them to sink into the retracted position in which they underlie the chassis ll of the vehicle Ill. Of course, it is conceivable that the other means of actuating the body protector other than that shown might be utilized and a positive mechanical linkage may be substituted for the hydraulic mechanism which is described.

I thus provide by my invention a body protector for Vehicles having unprotected sides which includes two retractible-extensible bumper members which can be extended from a first retracted position into a second extended position when the vehicle is in use.

in conjunction with a vehicle having a chassis,

Although. I have shown and described av specific embodiment of my invention, it is obvious that certain portions and elements thereof may be supplanted by similar portions and elements and I, therefore, do not intend my invention to be limited to such a specific showing but intend rather that it be afforded the full scope of th following claims.

I claim as my invention:

1. A protective device adapted to be utilized said chassis including a frame incorporating a plurality of longitudinal side members extending substantially parallel to the path of travel of said vehicle, and a body mounted upon said frame including, in combination: an elongated, rotatable bumper, said bumper being adapted for rotation from a first retracted position under said chassis to a second extended position overlying the lower portion of said body a plurality of bearing members secured to one of said longitudinal side members of said frame; rotatable support means mounted in said bearing members having said bumper mounted thereupon; and power means connected to said bumper incorporated in said chassis adapted to rotate said bumper upon .said rotatable support means from said first retracted position under said chassis to said second extended position overlying the lower portion of said body.

2. A protective device adapted to be utilized in conjunction with a vehicle having a chassis, said chassis including a frame incorporating a plurality of longitudinal side members extending substantially parallel to the path of travel of said vehicle, and a body mounted upon said frame including, in combination: an elongated bumper; a plurality of bearing members secured to one of said longitudinal side members of said frame; an elongated support rod mounted for rotation in said bearing members; rotatable support means mounted on said support rod having said bumper mounted thereupon; and power means connected to said support rod incorporated in said chassis adapted to rotate said bumper upon said rotatable support means from a first retracted position under said chassis to a second extended position overlying the lower portion of said body.

3. A protective device adapted to be utilized in conjunction with a vehicle having a chassis, said chassis including a frame incorporating a. plurality of longitudinal side members extending substantially parallel to the path of travel of said vehicle, and a body mounted upon said frame including, in combination: an elongated bumper; a plurality of bearing members secured to one of said longitudinal side members of said frame; an elongated support rod mounted for rotation in said bearing members; rotatable support means mounted on said support rod having said bumper mounted thereupon; a crank arm afiixed to said support rod intermediate its length; and power means connected to said crank arm and incorporated in said chassis adapted to rotate said bumper upon said rotatable support means from a first retracted position under said chassis to a second extended position overlying the lower portion of said body.

4. A protective device adapted to be utilized in conjunction with a vehicle having a chassis, said chassis including a frame incorporating a plurality of longitudinal side members extending substantially parallel to the path of travel of said vehicle, and a body mounted upon said frame 15 including, in combination; an elongated bumper;

instance a mlurality :of bearing. \members isecured 'to one rofssaid longitudinal asidemembers of, saidiframe; ran .ielongatedsupport roddisposed inssubstantial aparallelismttozsaidclongitudinalside;member; rotatable-support means mounted onzssaid. support nzodxhaving:=saiddoumperimouzntedthereupon;-v and power meansmonneeted :to said :support rod and incorporated in said chassis adapted zto .rotate said bumper upon said:mtatable'support:means froma first. retractediposition underrsaid chassis :to a. second-extended .positionioverlying :the lower portion. of said body;

5. .A :protectivecdevice adapted to be utilized ;in conjunction with a vehicle having a :chassis, :said .xchassis ineluding a, :frame incorporating a plurality ;of longitudinal side members. extending substantially parallel :to the path '.of travel of .1 saidvehicle, and a:body mounted upomsaidcframe :including,v in combination: :an elongated" bumper; a'zplurality of bearing'members secured 'to one :ofsaid longitudinal side members of saidxframe; :an "elongated support rod disposed insubstantial iparallelism to said longitudinal side.- member; .ro- Itatablesupport means mounted on. said. support irodi'having said :bumper 1 mounted thereupon; a crank arm affixed to saidssupport :rod. intermediate'its lengthzand adapted to be moved .in .an zarcuate :path in a, plane substantially normal to lithe axis -of said rod; and-powerimeans connected to said crank arm and incorporated :in :said :ehassis adapted 'torotate said bumper upon said rotatable support means from a first retracted position .underisaid chassis to a second extended position :overlyingxthe i lower :portion. of said body. 6. A protective apparatus adapted to be utilized conjunction with a vehicle having a :chassis including a frame incorporating a plur'rality of ilongitudinalrzside viroemloers extending substantially parallel to the-path :of travel of said vehicle, and a body mounted upon said :frame including, in :combination: a first elon- -;gated,.- rotatable bumper and a. second elongated, :rotataiole ;bumper, ssaid first elongated bumper being rotatably mounted upon. one of .saidlongiatudinal'side memhersfor rotation inan arc whose ;plane is normal to the longitudinalaxisiof said :side =member and said second elongated bumper being mounted opposite; said first "bumperionanzother saidltlongitud-inaliside members .fOl' :roetati'on .iman .arc whose. :plane is .normal- :to ithe longitudinal esdsatasaid; sidemember; andzpower .meansimounted uponsaid .chassis and attached tc-said rotatable bumpers adapted tozrotate them iin: said 1: arcs mm "a first, :retracted position .in .whichzthey underliesaid chassis I to a s,econd,:;extended 2 position in i which theyroverliecthe lower mention ofsaid-body.

7.. :An apparatuses. defined in. clainr Si in which :said first. and second bumpers are rotatably supported on bearings secured J to said longitudinal 'sidezrnembers, said bearings having 'journalled thereinilongitudinal support rods which, in turn, have affixed:theretotsupport:arms on which said i bumpers -are mounted.

J8; An-apparatus as defined in claim 7 in which :crank arms mounted upon said support .rods provide the intermediary through which the .movement of said power meansistransmitted to 1 said ibumpers.

-9. AIL-apparatus assdefinedinclaim 6 inwhich said :power means iincludes a primary hydraulic cylinder andta :remotely disposed secondary hydraulic cylinder: connected :to said primary cylinder, said cylinders being mounted on said chassis and said secondary cylinder :being adapted to transferwthe movement of said primaryrcylinder :to said bumpers.

10. apparatus as .definediin claim 9 in which saidepowerimeans includes a cable adaptedto be connected -at opposite ends 'to said bumpers and to-saidsecondaryhydraulic: cylinder. intermediate said -opposite ends.

' MAX REFERENCES .GITED The following references are of -record-in:the file a of this patent:

I UNITED STATES .PATENTS Number Name Date 968,800 lRander-son .-Aug. 30, .1910 -1-,415,51;8 .-Buck..- May.9, .1922 45. 1,596,903 Thwaits. .Aug. 2.4, 1926 110838.04 :SchuIman .,Apr..i 7, '1929 

